NEW YORK CITY CITY GUIDE VOL. 1
“GIVE ME WHERE TO STAND AND I WILL MOVE THE WORLD.” - ARCHIMEDES -
“The wanderer in Manhattan must go forth with a certain innocence, because New York is best seen with innocent eyes. It doesn’t matter if you are younger or old. Reading our rich history makes the experience more layered, but it is not a substitute for walking the streets themselves. For old-timer or newcomer, it is essential to absorb the city as it is now in order to shape your own nostalgias. That’s why I always urge the newcomer to surrender to the city’s magic. Forget the irritations and the occasional rudeness; they bother New Yorkers too. Instead, go down to the North River and the benches that run along the west side of Battery Park City. Watch the tides or the blocks of ice in winter; they have existed since the time when the island was empty of man. Gaze at the boats. Look across the water at the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, the place to which so many of the New York tribe came in order to truly live. Learn the tale of our tribe, because it’s your tribe too, no matter where you were born. Listen to its music and its legends. Gaze at its ruins and monuments. Walk its sidewalks and run fingers upon the stone and bricks and steel of our right-angled streets. Breathe the air of the river breeze.”
Pete Hamill
WHY DO WE TRAVEL? There must be as many reasons to travel as there are travelers. But those reasons are elusive--for it is difficult to know one’s true motives for leaving everything they know behind and throwing oneself into the unknown. Some have even made the study of “travel psychology” their specialty, studying both why people travel and what happens to them when they do. Yet the inability to pinpoint one’s true motives for travelling is but part of a larger phenomenon: the inability to understand oneself. Travelling in order to “discover one’s self” is one reason to hit the road. But how does it work? We are a black box. What is inside is unknown, not only to others, but also to ourselves--and we spend our lifetimes trying to look inside.
Cesare Pavese described traveling as “a brutality.” “It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends,” he writes. “You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things.” And the discovery of these essential things becomes the point of the whole exercise.
ESSENTIAL. TOURIST INFO 810 Seventh Avenue T (212) 484 1222 nycgo.com
EMERGENCY SERVICES Ambulance/Fire/Police T 911
24-hour pharmacy
CVS 630 Lexington Avenue T (917) 369 8688
MONEY American Express
822 Lexington Avenue T (212) 758 6510 travel.americanexpress.com
POSTAL SERVICES Post Office
909 Third Avenue T +1 (800) 275 8777 usps.com
Shipping
UPS T +1 (800) 742 5877 ups.com
NEW YORK CITY 785 sq km
POPULATION 8.36 million
CURRENCY US DOLLAR
TELEPHONE CODES USA: 1 New York: (212) 646 718
MANHATTAN.
THE AREAS YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHY. THE UPPER EAST SIDE This is rich-bitch New York, replete with liveried doormen helping social X-rays transport bag upon bag up to their apartments after a hard day’s shopping on Madison Avenue. The area is also where you’ll find some of the city’s toniest hotels and most important museums.
SOHO Once an artists’ quarter, where cast-iron buildings were transformed into post-industrial lofts and studios, the vibe is now more Kenzo than De Kooning, and Soho can feel touristy. However it still boasts some hip stores, galleries and good boutique hotels.
GREENWICH VILLAGE Greenwich Village retains its bohemian vibe though these days it is moving upscale. Funky restaurants and unique clothing boutiques line Bleecker Street. The Village Vanguard hosts consistently excellent jazz at night, while street musicians entertain the onlookers in Washington Square.
CHELSEA The bigs news here is the opening of the first section of the High Line, and elevated walkway near the Hudson. Chelsea is also an art epicentre and a nightlife hub. Stylish venues abound, though gentrification has led to the area losing some of its character.
CONTENTS. STAY Think outside the box
15
Act without expectation
19
Always be curious
21
Get your shit together
25
Dare to dream
27
It is what it is
29
Find yourself
31
Less is more
33
Live what you love
35
EAT Attitude is everything
41
Keep life beautiful
43
Now is the right time
45
Why not
47
Stop and think
51
Everything has beauty
53
Eat well, travel often
55
Get busy living
57
Be classy
59
I support safe spaces
61
LIVE Live.Work.Create 67 I’d rather be reading
71
Never give up
73
Wake up and live
75
Be uncommon
77
Dream big
81
Be original
83
Give sarcasm a chance
85
Rise and shine
87
CONTENTS. ENJOY Never give up
93
Open your eyes
95
Wish upon a star
97
Revolution 99 Find your inspiration
101
Do all things with love
103
Lighten the fuck up
107
Choose to shine
109
Be nice or leave
111
Just breathe
113
Love rewards the brave
117
THE BEST
THINGS IN LIFE
ARE MEANT TO BE
SHARED.
STAY
THE HYPE IS JUSTIFIED. A HIGH-DENSITY, VERTICAL CITY WITH TOURISTS AND LOCALS FROM ALL OVER THE WORD, NEW YORK DELIVERS -- NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE. THERE ARE A DIZZYING NUMBER OF HOTEL OPTIONS IN MANHATTAN, RANGING FROM MIDTOWN’S GRANDE DAME HOTELS TO CHIC BOUTIQUE PROPERTIES IN TRIBECA. WHILE SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES ARE ALREADY WELL KNOWN, WE LOVE THEM FOR THEIR FABULOUS MODERN DESIGNS AND THEIR HIDDEN CHARMS, SUCH AS UNDER-THE-RADAR MOVIE SCREENINGS OR COURTYARD TEA SERVICE.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. In typical New York fashion, Soho House New York is all about making the most of it. They’ve packed the six-floor hotel with as much entertainment and variety as space would allow, then balanced a year-round swimming pool on top. The 24 guest rooms have various floorplans, from the 325 sq. ft. “playpen” to the palatial 950 sq. ft. “playground” suites offering three different bed designs. More NYC space magic: your bathtub is in your bedroom. Manhattan’s Soho House New York enjoys its reputation for serving a hip, chic clientele. Who knows whose shoulders you’ll brush while taking in a movie at the fourth-floor screening room, or who might sidle up next to you for a cocktail at the
“SOHO HOUSE NEW YORK”
sixth-floor bar? The Cowshed spa also offers “Pretty Parties,” a group package for 8-10 people to primp, relax, and dine in style. It’s great preparation for taking on the worldclass shopping in the surrounding Meatpacking District.
STAY
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SOHO HOUSE NEW YORK 29 - 35 Ninth Avenue // Wilshire www.sohohouseny.com T (212) 627 9800 F (212) 627 4766
ACT WITHOUT EXPECTATION. Dead in the center of New York’s diminutive SoHo district, Crosby Street New York adds substance to the cast iron facades and cobbled roadways of this former artist’s commune. 11 floors filled with 86 subtly sexy rooms that would fit right in during the SoHo arts heydays of the 1960s. High ceilings and big windows beg guests to stack their shopping bags to the ceilings, and show off their conquests to the neighbors. Fitting right in with your sassy new duds, are the Kit Kemp designed rooms, deftly manipulating color and texture to create nothing less than art. Both the Lobby and Drawing Room are hot properties in their own right, with wide flooring, original sculpture, and furnishings that give
“CROSBY STREET NEW YORK”
the feeling of quality. At the bar, go the classic route and sip a French 75. Or be daring, and try something dreamt up by the minds behind the wood. Stay a while, and enjoy High Tea. Who doesn’t love those little crust-less sandwiches? Later, the night calls you out to the myriad of local bars - but wait a tik - there’s a movie playing here first at the 99 seat hotel theatre. Will you have popcorn? Or Prosecco?
STAY
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CROSBY STREET NEW YORK 79 Crosby Street www.crosbystreethotel.com T (212) 226 6400 F (212) 226 0055
ALWAYS BE CURIOUS. Talk about raising the bar. The Standard, New York reaches new heights of hip while offering dizzying vistas of the Big Apple. This is Manhattan, so don’t be shy: ask for the room with the best view. At The Standard, New York, one contender is the 875-square-foot Empire Suite, whose wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows face onto Midtown and Greenwich Village. Turned out in black shag carpeting and white lacquered walls and ceilings, the space has a dining area for guests. In the separate bedroom, you’ll find a window-side soaker tub. What’s not to like? Located in one of NYC’s most exciting neighborhoods, The Standard, New York is a monument to modern luxury and style.
“THE STANDARD NEW YORK”
All 337 rooms and suites on its 18 floors feature 300-thread-count Italian linens, iPod-ready sound systems, and Kiss My Face organic bath amenities. The Standard Grill is open from breakfast until late, while the outdoor Biergarten serves sausages, pretzels, and other classic German fare. After dark, shoe-gaze or shuffle to DJs in The Living Room, a chic lounge that will get you pumped for a Manhattan all-nighter.
STAY
21
THE STANDARD NEW YORK 848 Washington Street www.standardhotels.com T (212) 645-4646
GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER. Classical cool mixes with modern sophistication in the heart of New York’s trendiest neighborhood. That’s Thompson Hotels’ chic Smyth Tribeca. TriBeCa, the fashionable home of actors, musicians, and athletes, welcomed a new neighbour in 2009: the stylish, elegant, Smyth Tribeca from Thompson Hotels. Contrasting a bold and simple design with the most luxurious of amenities, the hotel has earned a place amongst TriBeCa’s hottest attractions.Though Smyth Tribeca’s design is slick, no sacrifice is made to comfort. The 100 contemporary loft-style rooms are stylish (rich walnut paneling, chrome-accented furniture, and sleek, stainless steel desks give a sense of the decor), yet
“SMYTH TRIBECA NEW YORK”
perfectly set up for when you just want to feel pampered. With its prime location, you can use the hotel as a great homebase for exploring what TriBeCa has to offer: great restaurants, unique buildings, and vibrant cafés - with Soho, Greenwich Village, and Chinatown just a short walk away.
STAY
25
SMYTH TRIBECA NEW YORK 85 West Broadway www.thompsonhotels.com T (212) 587 7000 F (212) 204 5633
DARE TO DREAM. Designed by architect Carlos Zapata, with razor-sharp interiors by Antonio Citterio, the luxuriously modern Cooper Square rises like a glass wing over the Bowery. Guest rooms are small but thoughtfully set up. Each is stocked with books from Housing Works and a choice of three bathrobes (terrycloth, silk, and yukata) to match your mood or temperature. It’s hard to miss this frosted 21-story tower as it juts above the low-slung brick tenements of the East Village. Yet, for all the bold American new-isbetter modernism of the architecture, inside the vibe is vaguely Italian, with hip Euro-inflected designer furnishings and coolly sophisticated staff. Never fear though: despite the incongruous design and vibe, The
“THE COOPER SQUARE”
Cooper Square Hotel does manage to play to its local ‘hood with a very artsy display of 4,000+ books from charity Housing Works that sprawls from the lobby to the genuinely relaxing library (complete with fireplace) and into the guest rooms. Other onsite perks include a leafy garden and a stunning penthouse.
STAY
27
THE COOPER SQUARE HOTEL 25 Cooper Square www.eastvillage.standardhotels.com T (212) 475 5700 F (212) 475 8200
IT IS WHAT IT IS. Despite the name, the London NYC hotel steers mercifully clear of any kind of heavy-handed British-themed kitsch. Suites range from quite spacious all the way up to downright sprawling, a luxury indeed in a city where, as in London, hotel room square footage is at a premium. The look is muted but not minimalist, a sort of understated modernist luxury, with extra attention paid to the tangible comforts, like iPod docking stations and multi-headed showers. There’s a fitness center, which is stylish, for a fitness center, and meeting space, as well as an awardwinning concierge service. So far so good. The most eagerly awaited facet of The London NYC, however, has got to be the Gordon Ramsay angle. As with anything Mr. Ramsay does,
“THE LONDON NEW YORK”
the headlines threatened to distract from the cooking — but in the end the important point is that London NYC’s restaurant is far enough beyond most hotels’ offerings as to be playing in a different league entirely.
STAY
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THE LONDON NEW YORK 151 West 54th Street www.thelondonnyc.com T (866) 690 2029
FIND YOURSELF. Like a shiny hood ornament on the front of a well-oiled machine that’s all business, W New York - Downtown adds hip form to the all-out frenetic function of Wall Street. A bell rings out and frantic ladies and gentlemen run about hollering in an age-old tradition that is Wall Street’s NYSE. Of course, nowadays, it’s more about keystrokes than actual strokes, as most trades take place online. No matter if you click a mouse or kick it old school on the trading floor, loosen your tie at the end of the day and make tracks to the W New York - Downtown. This stylish hub caters to yuppies, boomers, and hipsters alike with a rare mix of comfort and cool. Speaking of comfort, that’s the order of the day at BLT Bar & Grill,
“W HOTEL NEW YORK”
where some of the most delicious and unpretentious sandwiches and snacks are on offer alongside cold craft beer and cocktails. For something a tad slicker, but just as laid back, head up to the Living Room Bar and Terrace for drinks and eats both inside and out. 217 rooms are spread over 58 floors, each featuring W’s signature bed and munchie box. Bust out a few reps at SWEAT Fitness center, where you can work off the sins of the past evening in the most cuttingedge surrounds. Need a lift around town? Just dial up the concierge and request the hotel’s Acura MDX. Don your leather gloves, and roll out.
STAY
W HOTEL NEW YORK 541 Lexington Avenue www.starwoodhotels.com T (212) 755 1200 F (212) 319 8344
31
LESS IS MORE. Nolita’s very own design hotel fits the bill on pretty much everything we adore about hotels. There’s sumptuous luxury, there’s du jour style, there’s indulgence and sophistication, and there’s the location; North Of Little Italy – bordered by SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, the Bowery and the Lower East Side – is definitely one of Manhattan’s hippest spots. The Nolitan Hotel is the latest in a long list of recent Manhattan hotel openings but it’s certainly one of our most anticipated, and the reality certainly lives up to that expectation; thanks, largely, to Grzywinski+Pons‘ über-chic design. From its crisp, urban architecture and staggering interiors that echo ‘the most stylish apartment you’ll never own’, through an endless list
“NOLITAN NEW YORK”
of quirky and very personal services – a long-overdue check-out time of 2pm, branded skateboards and doggie grooming, no less – The Nolitan is a neighbourhood hotel that is the personification of a ‘home away from home’. But, be careful, you may never, ever, ever want to leave…
STAY
NOLITAN HOTEL 30 Kenmare Street www. nolitanhotel.com T (212) 925 2555 F (212) 925 2556
33
LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE. Locally minded, yet luxurious without compromise, The James New York represents the impact the city’s progressive new class of up and comers have on global culture. There’s a certain restraint displayed by The James New York that’s decidedly refreshing. Original art fills the elevators, while an urban garden breathes fresh air in to the building. In 114 rooms, warm tones welcome you while a glass-enclosed rain shower begs you to hang out a little longer. A night in at The James is a lot more entertaining than it sounds. Check into the country-barn-like David Burke Kitchen for unpretentious American eats. Artisanal cocktails come by way of the Treehouse Bar, and crispy deliciousness is born at
“THE JAMES NEW YORK”
the unique Toast Bar, where a midnight snack is elevated to new creative frontiers. Later, head for the top, where JIMMY awaits. Sort of speakeasy in the sky, JIMMY takes a holistic approach to the cocktail, blending classics with new flavor notes at a chef’s level of precision.
STAY
THE JAMES NEW YORK 27 Grand Street www.jameshotels.com T (212) 465 2000 F (212) 201 9117
35
EAT
FOR CULINARY THRILL-SEEKERS AND CASUAL CHOWHOUNDS ALIKE THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER MOMENT TO DINE OUT IN MANHATTAN. THE GREAT RESTAURANT BOOM THAT BEGAN A FEW YEARS AGO SHOWS NO SIGN OF ABATING, AND THESE DAYS FOR EVERY CELEBRITY-DRIVEN DESIGN SHOWCASE, THERE’S A CULTISH SMALL DINING BAR PRESIDED OVER BY A YOUNG CULINARY ALCHEMIST OR GREENMARKET GURU. LET THE FEEDING FRENZY BEGIN…
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. Sustainability has become ‘’the’’ buzzword in the design world over the past few years. It is always impressive when a designer can bring their creativity and vision to materials that once had a life as something else entirely, and work it into something brand new and beautiful to look at. COLONIE Restaurant is a remarkable example of this type of creativity and thoughtfulness at work. It’s a fresh destination in the historical Brooklyn Heights neighborhood on a once run-down block that seems to be undergoing a renaissance - as so many neighborhoods in Brooklyn are these days. Architect Alex Meyers of MADesign had a goal to build the restaurant using recycled materials
“COLONIE”
when possible and marry them with new products to bring a rustic ‘’barnhouse’’ to the otherwise urban Atlantic Avenue. Reclaimed wood was used for the floors, ceilings, and tabletops. The tremendous bar mirror is antiqued glass encased in a frame. Exposed Edison bulbs bring warmth to the heavy steel and it is at once both industrial and charming. The open kitchen just might be the best part of COLONIE. White subway tiles, shelves stocked with dishware, and piles of pots and pans above the stove make the bar seating quite desirable. The overall design of COLONIE is meant to evoke the experience of one large shared family meal, an urban barn-house if you will.
EAT
COLONIE 127 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn www.colonienyc.com T (718) 855 7500
41
KEEP LIFE BEAUTIFUL. Fans of high-end sushi haven’t seen much new blood in the past few years, making this Japanese eatery a hotly anticipated project. Hiro Sawatari (Sushi Yasuda) handles the raw stuff (with The Story of Sushi author Trevor Corson consulting); offerings include a hand roll stuffed with crispy kanpachi, pickled onions, coriander and avocado. If you can’t get a spot at the eight-seat sushi bar, grab a table in the dining room to explore the Japanese small-plates menu. Be sure to look up: Artist Jim Drain designed the glass, brass and wood mobile dangling overhead. The design of the place, by Rafael de Cárdenas, helps: it reads more as a thoughtful renovation than a total teardown. People with Wooster Group subscriptions, Yamamoto
“NIKO”
suits and homes out east will be comfortable dining at Niko, at least early in the evening, before the room grows loud. The restaurant feels like homage to the SoHo that once was. It is mostly pleasant and warm. It is exceedingly handsome.
EAT
NIKO 170 Mercer Street // Soho www.helloniko.com T (212) 991 5650
43
NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME. Named after the Fifth Avenue museum’s architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, the 58-seat restaurant was designed by Andre Kikoski Architect and features a modern American menu by David Bouley protégé Rodolfo Contreras featuring local seasonal dishes like seared diver scallops in sea urchin sauce and slow roasted suckling pig with quince and violet mustard. They sought to create a work that is both contemporary and complementary. Inspired by and created within an institution renowned for its art, architecture and innovation, The Wright will extend that experience to its food and service. The Wright will appeal to neighbors seeking stylish and sophisticated dining as well as
“THE WRIGHT”
visitors who want to experience the thrill of New York in one of the city’s greatest cultural treasures. Centered on a communal table, Kikoski’s channeled Lloyd Wright’s iconic spiraling white design from 1959 in the nearly allwhite 1,600-square-foot-space. The ceiling is also home to the restaurant’s signature artwork, a colorful site-specific sculpture of horizontal powder-coated aluminum planks by British artist Liam Gillick that marks the entrance and descends from overhead to cover the Wright’s walls.
EAT
THE WRIGHT 1071 Fifth Avenue at 88th Street www.thewrightrestaurant.com T (212) 427 5690
45
WHY NOT. At this restaurant in New York, patrons dine under what seems like a massive three-dimensional game of Jenga. The cloud-like installation is made of wooden squares, layered in a geometric pattern. Adding that LED lighting is integrated into the installation, positioned to enhance its hovering nature. Innuendo was created to offer its guests a sensual trip through the cuisines of the Far East, Russia, The Middle East, Spain, The Caribbean, as well as traditional American favorites. The cuisine is coupled with a wine selection that will satisfy even the most demanding wine aficionados. Wines are coupled with distinctive cheeses and meats tapas. The menu was created by world famous chefs who strive to
“INNUENDO�
perfection. From the moment one enters, they are transported to another world, designed to relax the mind and indulge the senses. They created Innuendo with the intention of combining international fare and gourmet quality food with a unique ambiance, as well as bringing the New York City Vibe to Port Washington.
EAT
INNUENDO 75 Main Street // Port Washington www.innuendobar.com T (516) 439 4444
47
STOP AND THINK. Lincoln is the latest incarnation of famed restaurateur Nick Valenti’s commitment to bringing the ultimate in culinary experiences to the nation’s leading cultural institutions. Lincoln combines high-concept design with the impeccable contemporary Italian cuisine of Chef Jonathan Benno. Valenti worked closely with the architectural firm of Diller, Scofidio + Renfro to create Lincoln’s unique design featuring glass walls, signature sloping lawn roof and a spectacular view of the reflecting pool and the Henry Moore sculpture. The restaurant’s environment is both comfortable and refined – with an open kitchen, bar, lounge, two dining rooms and private dining accommodations.
“LINCOLN”
Chef Benno’s cuisine emphasizes superior ingredients treated simply and with impeccable technique. Dishes are contemporary, but respectful of the regional Italian tradition. With glass walls on all sides, and another pane of glass separating kitchen from patron, this restaurant is literally a PR machine on its own, selling itself to the New York elite attending events at the Lincoln Center. Dinner with a show at one of the grandest stage in the world.
EAT
LINCOLN 42 West 65th Street // Lincoln Center www.lincolnristorante.com T (212) 359 6500
51
EVERYTHING HAS BEAUTY. The Pio Pio restaurant offers the flavor of Latin america and an unorthodox connection to the New york City street. Located in the Hell’s Kitchen district of Manhattan, this gritty neighborhood is historically famous for its rough look, busy underworld and ethnic conflicts that inspired the West Side Story. Far from its once notorious culture, this neighborhood is now home to diverse gastronomic experiences, aspiring actors and a fast changing social fabric. Since transparency is common and expected, Sebastian Mariscal wanted to lead and transport people to a different place - a Latin American place. The 5,268-squarefoot space seems improbable when looking at it from its facade.
“PIO PIO”
Spatially, each alcove channels your experience to the rich materials, and only as you move through it, does it unfold the the flavors of Latin America and further disconnect you from the New York City street. In a sea of steel and glass, the wood and concrete serve a visual and tactile queue to something new, attracting passersby into the space. Its silent, yet distinct sense of arrival serves as an example of how design can speak without the overt use use of typography and graphics. The undertone of the space allows the food, people and conversation to be the focus - a cultural staple of Latin American culture. Pio Pio is a must culinary destination if you are in New York City.
EAT
PIO PIO 604 10th Ave // Hell’s Kitchen www.piopio.com T (212) 459 2929
53
EAT WELL, TRAVEL OFTEN. The restaurant that first taught Londoners back in 2001 that Asian food can be utterly life-altering (as well as bank account-altering). A couple of Michelin stars and Dubai and Miami outposts later, Hakkasan’s celebrated mod Cantonese cuisine has finally found a home in NYC. Located along a rather noir-ish stretch of 43rd St., stepping inside is nevertheless like entering a fantastical glamour bubble. Indeed, the 11,000-square-foot space houses a marble entrance hall, a long bar, the Ling Ling Lounge, and elegantly sexy dining areas separated by intricate Asian lattice work. Chef Ho Chee Bon, who has done time at Moscow’s Turandot, mixes Hakkasan classics with dishes
“HAKKASAN”
conjured from locally-sourced ingredients. Animated by a luxurious array of ambient sounds, scents and lighting, Hakkasan New York is a stunning evolution of the London original that is acclaimed for its Michelin-starred modern Chinese cuisine.
EAT
55
HAKKASAN 311 West 43rd Street // Hell’s Kitchen www.hakkasan.com T (212) 776 1818
GET BUSY LIVING. While decidedly elegant, Chef Gutenbrunner avoided the hype associated with many New York restaurants, intending instead to allow Wallsé to develop a personality which was heavily contributed to by his clients. The restaurant quickly found its balance as both a destination for discerning diners and a neighborhood haunt for West Villagers. Wallsé is a Michelin Starred restaurant which boasts noted chef Kurt Gutenbrunner’s signature style - a modern interpretation of classic Viennese cuisine. Two rooms influenced by the tradition of fin di siecle Viennese architecture feature paintings by Julian Schnabel and Abert Oehlen. Wallsé serves as a neighborhood haunt for West
“WALLSE”
Villagers. The two airy rooms of this modestly simple but beautiful venue are tastefully decked out with imported 20th century Austrian fixtures and genuine Julian Schnabel paintings (the artist himself just so happens to be a regular). Situated on a street corner, it attracts a neighborhood crowd looking to connect with an upscale Village scene.
EAT
WALLSE 344 West 11th Street www.kg-ny.com/wallse T (212) 352 2300
57
BE CLASSY. With the opening of the High Line the Meatpacking District is once again on the tips of our tongues. And hotelier Andre Balazs, who had the prescience to build his latest directly abutting the park, has been reaping the rewards of the traffic it’s bringing. The Standard Grill, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, is the first bona fide hot spot of the neighborhood’s second coming. The surprisingly subdued main dining room of this ultra-sceney eatery is flanked by a bar, a jam-packed seasonal beer garden with a ping pong table, and window table seating in front affording top views of the Meatpacking District passeggiata. There’s a reason why reservations can be difficult to get:
“THE STANDARD GRILL”
The Standard offers a fresh menu of diverse choices, served by a knowledgeable staff with a topnotch bar crew.
EAT
THE STANDARD GRILL 848 Washington Street www.thestandardgrill.com T (212) 645 4100
59
I SUPPORT SAFE SPACES. August is a bustling little gem, with additional patio seating located just past the big wood-burning oven from which much of the menu’s FrancoMediterranean food is prepared. Blessedly, the ceiling is lined with cork, which cuts down considerably on the noise in this small space. August’s bread, baked on the premises, is first-rate. The little bar is the place to park for a while and nibble on that bread along with some Spanish ham and a glass of wine. The menu changes seasonally--some standout dishes include the sautéed chicken livers with smoked eggplant caponata, pine nuts and black sesame and for an entrée the Spanish mackerel a la plancha with baby artichokes, cucumber, grapes and toasted almond milk. The daily selection of
“AUGUST”
oysters and the raw bar are always first-rate, and be sure to save room for one of the desserts or something from the ever-changing assortment of artisanal cheeses. August’s wine list is broad and includes a nice sampling of Belgian beers. Located in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village, August is a local, critically acclaimed bistro offering Regional European fare for dinner, lunch, and brunch. August features a diverse menu rich in the finest traditions of Europe’s food cultures, ranging from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe using local and seasonal ingredients.
EAT
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AUGUST 359 Bleecker Street // Greenwich Village www.augustny.com T (212) 929 8727
LIVE
EACH NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE CITY APPEARED TO BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT SUBSTANCE, EACH SEEMED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT AIR PRESSURE, A DIFFERENT PSYCHIC WEIGHT: THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND SHUTTERED SHOPS, THE HOUSING PROJECTS AND LUXURY HOTELS, THE FIRE ESCAPES AND CITY PARKS. LEARN TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR LIFE. TBE HAPPY NOW. DON’T WAIT FOR SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF TO MAKE YOU HAPPY IN THE FUTURE. THINK HOW REALLY PRECIOUS IS THE TIME YOU HAVE TO SPEND, WHETHER IT’S AT WORK OR WITH YOUR FAMILY. EVERY MINUTE SHOULD BE ENJOYED AND SAVORED.
LIVE.WORK.CREATE. What started in the year 2000 as a fanciful project by passionate observers, with no urban planning experience, to save an abandoned New York rail line from demolition, has found itself as the city’s number one tourist attraction – and an inspiration to councils and cities around the world. The City of New York was originally planning to tear down the High Line, but a group formed, called ‘Friends of the High Line’, to protect, preserve, and renovate the High Line. This eventually lead to a design competition, and the commissioning of landscape architects James Corner Field Operations and architects Diller Scodifio + Renfro to rehabilitate this abandoned space into a lush, green, elevated paradise
“THE HIGH LINE”
for Manhattanites. The feeling at the High Line is one of excitement, optimism and pride that the city was able to take something that was just a gleam in people their eyes a few years ago and turn it into something that they, and hopefully generations to come, can enjoy. For New Yorkers, who are just witnessing the beginnings of an urban space revolution, the High Line is a tangible manifestation of what the future could look like.
LIVE
THE HIGH LINE Manhattan’s West Side www.thehighline.org T (212) 500 6035
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I’D RATHER BE READING. Part of Aaron Bondaroff and Al Moran’s vision of an “extraordinary creative mash-up”, OHWOW is a collaborative art venture that, whilst achingly pretentious, delivers products, events and spaces that are a feast of sheer design brilliance. The black-and-white tiled floor and the turquoise walls create a decidedly aquatic mood although the designer, Rafael de Cárdenas, was thinking less of marine habitats and more of a classic pre-war NYC water closet when he themed the space. Designer/architect Rafael de Cárdenas of Architecture At Large is a master of creating moods. In OHWOW Book Club, he has explored not only the sensations of disorientation and floating
“OHWOW BOOK CLUB”
through neon lighting and random wall color patterns and placement of shelves, but also the feel of direction through the Navajo carpet-like tile pattern of the floor. The bookstoreshowroom is the first spot to carry all of OHWOW’s publications under a single roof, and those craving color, inspiration or simply a place to talk art can do so sans snobbery.
LIVE
OHWOW BOOK CLUB 227 Waverly Place www.oh-wow.com/book-club T (646) 370 5847
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NEVER GIVE UP. Considered as one of the most acclaimed architects of the 21st century, Frank Gehry has created the tallest residential tower in New York City’s history. Standing at 142 meters with 76 storeys, this skyscraper resides in Lower Manhattan. Dramatically named as ‘New York by Gerhy,’ this new building is meant to shake and challenge the city’s iconic skyline, perhaps spurring on a greater change. The residences are set on a six-storey base with an elementary school and hospital services as well. Realized with computer modelling programs that Gehry used to design the Guggenheim Museum, this massive structure was made with a green-aesthetic in mind to lower costs and wastage.
“NEW YORK BY GEHRY”
New York by Gehry, located within the Lower Manhattan skyline, has a recognizable facade of stainless steel cladding appearing as draped fabric. Now the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere the building boasts 903 luxury rental units and 22,000 sqf of amenity space. A building under a lot of scrutiny during its design and construction phase, the completed New York by Gehry received remarks of praise from architecture critics stating that it is “the finest skyscraper to rise in New York since Eero Saarinen’s CBS building went up 46 years ago
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NEW YORK BY GEHRY 8 Spruce Street www.newyorkbygehry.com T (212) 877 2220
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WAKE UP AND LIVE. Originally designed in 1904 as a showpiece for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s “Manhattan Main Line,” the station was boarded up in 1945. The city started restoring the City Hall station as a transit museum prior to 9/11, but security concerns killed the plan. The station is still closed to the public. Here’s an old diagram showing its location in relation to the Brooklyn Bridge station. The City Hall station is in the big loop on the left. If you ride the 6 train to the end of the line and get off at the Brooklyn Bridge stop, you’re missing out on something incredible. As the train loops around to go back uptown, it passes through an abandoned and beautifully preserved City Hall
“CITY HALL SUBWAY STATION”
station from 1904. So how do you catch a glimpse of this awesomeness? All it takes is patience: Simply stay on the 6 train instead of getting off at Brooklyn Bridge, the last stop. The train actually makes a turnaround through City Hall station as it starts its return trip uptown.
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CITY HALL SUBWAY STATION IRT Lexington Avenue Line www.nycsubway.org
BE UNCOMMON. Originally designed in 1904 as a showpiece for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s “Manhattan Main Line,” the station was boarded up in 1945. The city started restoring the City Hall station as a transit museum prior to 9/11, but security concerns killed the plan. The station is still closed to the public. Here’s an old diagram showing its location in relation to the Brooklyn Bridge station. The City Hall station is in the big loop on the left. If you ride the 6 train to the end of the line and get off at the Brooklyn Bridge stop, you’re missing out on something incredible. As the train loops around to go back uptown, it passes through an abandoned and beautifully preserved City Hall
“NEW MUSEUM”
station from 1904. So how do you catch a glimpse of this awesomeness? All it takes is patience: Simply stay on the 6 train instead of getting off at Brooklyn Bridge, the last stop. The train actually makes a turnaround through City Hall station as it starts its return trip uptown.
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NEW MUSEUM 235 Bowery www.newmuseum.org T (212) 219 1222
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DREAM BIG. Placed on New Amsterdam Plein and commissioned by the Battery Conservancy, the NY400 Dutch Pavilion is presented as a gift from the Dutch government to the people of New York. The Pavilion is intended to introduce an opportunity for visitors, residents, and everyday commuters to pause and learn more at this historically important location. The Pavilion marks the location as a destination and a hub of various activities, creating a social eddy at a site that may otherwise go unnoticed by passers-by and commuters. The programme of this Pavilion oscillates between facility services (culinary outlet and information point), and a dynamic art, light, and media installation.
“NEW AMSTERDAM PAVILION”
The Pavilion has an open character, with an evolving programmatic use, as new light and media installations are changed and new visitors personalize their use of the space. The presence of the Pavilion expresses to New York City’s residents and visitors the shared Dutch and American value of the importance of open, accessible, and inviting public space in the city fabric.
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NEW AMSTERDAM PAVILION 11 West 53 Street www.moma.org T (212) 708 9400
BE ORIGINAL. Originally designed in 1904 as a showpiece for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s “Manhattan Main Line,” the station was boarded up in 1945. The city started restoring the City Hall station as a transit museum prior to 9/11, but security concerns killed the plan. The station is still closed to the public. Here’s an old diagram showing its location in relation to the Brooklyn Bridge station. The City Hall station is in the big loop on the left. If you ride the 6 train to the end of the line and get off at the Brooklyn Bridge stop, you’re missing out on something incredible. As the train loops around to go back uptown, it passes through an abandoned and beautifully preserved City Hall
“TOP OF THE ROCK”
station from 1904. So how do you catch a glimpse of this awesomeness? All it takes is patience: Simply stay on the 6 train instead of getting off at Brooklyn Bridge, the last stop. The train actually makes a turnaround through City Hall station as it starts its return trip uptown.
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TOP OF THE ROCK 30 Rockefeller Center // Midtown West www.topoftherocknyc.com T (212) 698 2000
GIVE SARCASM A CHANCE. Originally designed in 1904 as a showpiece for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s “Manhattan Main Line,” the station was boarded up in 1945. The city started restoring the City Hall station as a transit museum prior to 9/11, but security concerns killed the plan. The station is still closed to the public. Here’s an old diagram showing its location in relation to the Brooklyn Bridge station. The City Hall station is in the big loop on the left. If you ride the 6 train to the end of the line and get off at the Brooklyn Bridge stop, you’re missing out on something incredible. As the train loops around to go back uptown, it passes through an abandoned and beautifully preserved City Hall
“MOMA”
station from 1904. So how do you catch a glimpse of this awesomeness? All it takes is patience: Simply stay on the 6 train instead of getting off at Brooklyn Bridge, the last stop. The train actually makes a turnaround through City Hall station as it starts its return trip uptown.
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MOMA 11 West 53 Street www.moma.org T (212) 708 9400
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RISE AND SHINE. The Brooklyn Bridge joins two grand New York City regions: Manhattan and Brooklyn. It crosses east river, and is one of New York City’s most renowned routes for tourists. It is currently maintained by New York City Department of Transportation. It was opened on May 24, 1883 – 128 years ago. This bridge Construction began in 1870 and took more than 13 years to complete! At that moment in time, it was the best ever suspension bridge in the world. You can look into the watching points under the support towers, with panoramic picture describing the olden times of New York’s harbor. This lasting, momentous monument, with its neo-Gothic towers – there is no way you can ignore it!
“BROOKLYN BRIDGE”
Do not forget to take your camera because the sights are quite eye-catching. When you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, you can enjoy a great view of Manhattan, Brooklyn and lower NY Harbor including the Statue of Liberty.
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BROOKLYN BRIDGE 11 West 53 Street www.moma.org T (212) 708 9400
87
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A CITY IS A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK TO GET THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION, TO TASTE THE FOOD OF ANY COUNTRY, TO FIND NEW VOICES TO LISTEN TO AND FAMILIAR ONES TO LISTEN TO AGAIN. I GO TO PARIS, I GO TO LONDON, I GO TO ROME, AND I ALWAYS SAY, ‘THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE NEW YORK. IT’S THE MOST EXCITING CITY IN THE WORLD NOW. THAT’S THE WAY IT IS. THAT’S IT.’
NEVER GIVE UP. The new D’Espresso on Madison Avenue at 42nd in New York has received more media attention than is generally awarded to a tiny coffee shop in this world of millions of new coffee shops. The reason for the attention is the fun design by the Manhattan-based nemaworkshop, a team of designers and architects that has created numerous cool retail and hospitality concepts. Founder Anurag Nema took the idea of a coffee shop that looks like a library – giving a nod to the nearby New York Public Library’s Bryant park branch – and turned it on its side. The walls are not lined with books but the floors and ceiling are. Except that it is all an illusion, a life-size image of books printed on custom tiles.
“D’ESPRESSO”
Pendant lighting does not hang from the ceiling; it sticks out from the walls. The tiny coffee bar of 39 square meters is the second for owner Eugene Kagansky (the first one is on the Lower East Side) who plans to create an entire empire of coffee shops. Apparently, the next one will be completely upside down.
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D’ESPRESSO 317 Madison Ave // Midtown East www.despresso.com T (212) 867 7141 F (212) 867 7149
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OPEN YOUR EYES. Forget about your Kindle a moment and transport yourself back to a time when books didn’t have plugs. Instead, bound pages lived inside covers, on shelves which were, strangely enough, affixed to walls. Gather enough of these books, shelves, and walls and you’ve got the neighborhood’s best independent bookstore, McNally Jackson. Quaint and warm, this bookstore provides the inventory of a largerscale retailer with the intimacy of a private reading room. If you don’t think they don’t have it, they are happy to find it, as sales staff are among the most helpful and well-read in New York.
“MCNALLY JACKSON BOOKS”
Looking to print out a book? They can actually help with that. Their Espresso Book Machine (EBM) will print anything from your compilation of love letters to your coffee table book of weird coffee tables. Becoming self-published has never been easier—or faster—paperbacks take anywhere from a month to as little as two business days. If you’re hungry for a good read, chances are you could be also be hungry for a good bite to eat. Feed your brain and your belly at the upstairs cafe, offering substantial bites as well as an assortment of compliments to a hot cup of Stumptown coffee.
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MCNALLY JACKSON BOOKS 52 Prince Street www.mcnallyjackson.com T (212) 274 1160
WISH UPON A STAR. Moomah is the third child of celebrity wife Tracey Stewart and radiates with a mother’s touch. From the carefully selected toys sold up front, to the toddler potty seat propped up behind the toilet, no detail has been overlooked and no expense spared. Every inch of the cafe is beautifully decorated with artwork that is both cool and adorable. The cafe serves organic kid-friendly fare and hot and cold drinks and the food is actually reasonably priced. They also serve salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and small plates based on local and sustainable foods, plus a full coffee bar. While you’re sipping your latte, set your kids up at the Do It Yourself craft table where the projects change every week, but always
“MOOMAH”
include nature-inspired, exceptionally precious crafts that someone has obviously designed to allow even little kids create something that you’ll be proud to hang on the wall. Of course, the most unique thing about the Moomah Cafe has to be the Funky Forest, an interactive room where kids manipulate a video stream to feed the trees and make them grow. The Funky Forest is free and kids of all ages love it. They will also be offering classes and birthday parties.
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MOOMAH 161 Hudson Street www.moomah.com T (212) 226 0345
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REVOLUTION. Hot town, summer in the city, and the perfect antidote for sweltering temperatures has just moved in to New York’s West Village. The eye-catching and delicious popsicles of Carmine Street’s latest arrival Popbar, are the new old shape of sweet treat refreshment. Served on a stick, Popbar’s all-natural gelato, sorbetto and frozen yoghurt add an artisan twist to the classic popsicle or for some, ice lolly. Some might recognize this new frozen sweet outlet from Turin’s Stick House chain - whose handcrafted technique and exclusive ingredients have been imported and given a fashionable Manhattan makeover by entrepreneurs Reuben BenJehuda and Daniel Yaghoubi. With backgrounds in fashion and
“POPBAR”
music, their’s is just the right touch to put Italian gelato in a New York state of mind. Made fresh in store, a revolving choice of flavours are available to be dipped in dark, milk or white chocolate and dressed up with ‘poppings’ such as almonds, brownie chunks, crumbled biscotti or pistachios. Popbar’s classic mould for each popsicle is a retro salute to freezer box multi-packs and childhood nostalgia.
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POPBAR 5 Carmine Street // West Village www.pop-bar.com T (212) 255 4874
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FIND YOUR INSPIRATION. This classic Italian kitchenware master calls itself “The Dream Factory,” and venturing into its sole U.S. store is a definite mind trip of sorts. The crystal-clear glass, mirrors, and white walls of architect Hani Rashid’s ode to futurism enhance the gleaming stainless steel culinary tools that are works of art as much as they are home appliances. New Yorkers who actually use their kitchens sit on the silver banquettes and bar stools in the front espresso bar, savoring the Joe’s coffee and delicate pastries for sale while poring over Alessi’s catalog, secretly grateful that the whimsical Michael Graves kitchen timer and Philippe Starck aluminum citrus juicer are actually quite affordable. Other pieces are so stylish that it’s not uncommon to see
“ALESSI”
design students snapping photos and trying to heed the “don’t touch display” signs on the shelves. This museum-like aura almost makes the place seem inaccessible, but luckily the skinny-jean clad staff is gracious when lending a hand or giving an opinion on whether the fluorescent puppy chow bowl or retro-imprint fly-swatter makes an appropriate gift.
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ALESSI 30 East 60th Street // Upper East Side www.alessi.com T (212) 317 9880
DO ALL THINGS WITH LOVE. This bakery is a brand new project for the family that behind the renowned Omonia brand famous for its Greek pastries. It sells pastries and breads prepared on premises in the see-through kitchen. The design of this store celebrates indulgence… the suspension of one’s everyday grind through the consumption of a sweet delight. The space is soft and warm… sexy and decadent… as chocolate. Much like the physiognomy of a pastry, this design wants to offer the exciting anticipation of a pastry in-fieri… the liquid concoction, the minced ingredients… The space shifts organically with the narrative of flavors as patrons taste the succulent delicacies.
“OMONIA BAKERY”
The main feature of the 1,000SF interior space is a fluid surface which covers the ceiling and the side walls to different heights. This surface warps in bubbles and negotiates a system of 6-inch tubular incandescent light bulbs… and an arrangement of red cedar wood spheres. The epoxy flooring continues to the walls via filleted corners. A shelf and LED strips navigate the transition with the chocolate surface. The kitchen is exhibited to the public, as it sits simply within a tempered glass box…Therefore, the exquisite level of craftsmanship of the project is paralleled with the refined artisanship of Omonia’s pastries.
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OMONIA BAKERY Queens // New York City www.omoniacafe.com T (718) 274 6650
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LIGHTEN THE FUCK UP. Perched atop the 6 Columbus hotel, Above 6 is a refreshing escape from hoity toity hotel rooftop bars. Exclusivity isn’t the word at Above 6, where you simply need to ask for entry at the sushi bar below to be allowed up the tiny elevator. Although Above 6 is only open for two months, the spot is extremely popular with neighborhood locals and those that work in the area. The rooftop bar doesn’t serve food, but will supply you with wasabi peas upon request. Their beer selection is mostly Japanese, including Kirin, Sapporo, Coedo Benaik, and Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale. If you get hungry after sunbathing at the rooftop bar, you can always nosh at the sushi bar in the hotel.
“ABOVE 6”
Ideally, you’ll want to time your trips up to this sleek steel-styled balcony to just before sunset. And just after dipping into the Blue Ribbon Sushi downstairs for a little pre-aprèswork snack. A short elevator ride later will take you straight up to this glass perch, where you’ll figuratively drink in a warm summer night. And literally drink in a cold Hummingbird Of course, should the weather not cooperate, there’s always a retractable roof that can cover the veranda at the first sign of rain. Making this the safest cava-filled place to be during a thunderstorm.
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ABOVE 6 6 Columbus Circle // Hell’s Kitchen www.thompsonhotels.com T (212) 204 3000
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CHOOSE TO SHINE. The perfect place to meet, entertain or simply people-watch on Madison Avenue, Bar Pleiades is the newest addition to the Café Boulud family. Named for the beloved French restaurant frequented by Manhattan’s art world elite of the 1970s and 80s, Bar Pleaides combines the elegantly attentive service of a fine hotel bar with the distinctive cocktail menu of a talented mixologist. This bar at the Surrey Hotel is dark and glamorous, a fur-lined, lacquered, perfumed cave. It shares a home with Café Boulud (the chef and owner, in his whites, is sometimes found cuddled up here on a banquette) and offers Mr. Boulud’s usual luxury and precision. Even the skinniest regulars, whose jewels and highlights gleam in the
“BAR PLEIADES”
dim light, couldn’t make a meal out of this “bar food”, not without scarfing a whole order of warm madeleines, the best value in the house. The potato chips are brushed with house-blend curry powder, and the twist of lemon peel in your martini s a thick, smooth, perfect rectangle.
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BAR PLEIADES 20 East 76th Street // Upper East Side www.thesurrey.com T (212) 772 2600
BE NICE OR LEAVE. The perfect place to meet, entertain or simply people-watch on Madison Avenue, Bar Pleiades is the newest addition to the Café Boulud family. Named for the beloved French restaurant frequented by Manhattan’s art world elite of the 1970s and 80s, Bar Pleaides combines the elegantly attentive service of a fine hotel bar with the distinctive cocktail menu of a talented mixologist. This bar at the Surrey Hotel is dark and glamorous, a fur-lined, lacquered, perfumed cave. It shares a home with Café Boulud (the chef and owner, in his whites, is sometimes found cuddled up here on a banquette) and offers Mr. Boulud’s usual luxury and precision. Even the skinniest regulars, whose
“MIZU”
jewels and highlights gleam in the dim light, couldn’t make a meal out of this “bar food”, not without scarfing a whole order of warm madeleines, the best value in the house. The potato chips are brushed with house-blend curry powder, and the twist of lemon peel in your martini s a thick, smooth, perfect rectangle.
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MIZU 505 Park Avenue at 59th Street www.mizuforhair.com T (212) 688 6498
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JUST BREATHE. Aesop has been a purveyor of exceptional skin, hair and body products since 1987. The Melbourne company recently opened their first US store inside New York’s Grand Central Terminal. The kiosk, designed by Aesop Director Dennis Paphitis and NY-based architect Jeremy Barbour of Tacklebox, is located in the Graybar passage and offers a selection of Aesop’s line of products. To celebrate this opening, Aesop has created in collaboration with Dia a Jet Set kit that is sold exclusively at the kiosk. The kiosk was built out of 1,000+ old recycled NY Times newspapers and power coated aluminum which provides the surface on which the products sit. The kiosk is meant to serve as Aesop’s handshake to NY
“AESOP KIOSK”
and NY commuters as it is the first retail endeavor on the continent. The handshake is a symbol of both the an introduction to the brand as well as the use Aesop makes of hand demonstrations which are used to introduce Aesop to new customers. The kiosk was intended as a place for information, as well as a place of familiarity, hence the use of the NY Times which is part of the commuters’ daily routine. Aesop has attracted a loyal following from its beginning for its commitment to high-quality product ingredients, a sophisticated aesthetic, and intelligent communication with its customers. This irreverent company will also open stores in August in Nolita and University Place.
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AESOP KIOSK Graybar Passage // Grand Central www.aesopnyc.com
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WE ARE GOLDEN. In August of 2009, Saturdays opened its doors on a small, cobblestone street in Soho. Determined to suit a lifestyle occupied with surfing, living and working in New York City, Saturdays began selling boards and wetsuits while sourcing and selling books, fine art and other lifestyle accessories. Today, Saturdays creates, designs and produces its own line of menswear focusing on high-quality craftsmanship, authenticity and traditional style. In addition to clothing, the up-front espresso bar serves their own blend of La Colombe coffee brewed by some of the best baristas in the city. Out back, the fully planted yard acts as a wood-decked sanctuary from the streets.
“SURF SATURDAYS”
It is a place to enjoy your coffee, hang out with friends or have a quiet meeting. In the years since Saturdays opened, it has served as a hang out for some of New York’s most influential artists, surfers and thinkers, all of whom have helped redefine what it means to live, work and surf in New York City.
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SURF SATURDAYS 31 Crosby Street // Soho www.saturdaysnyc.com T (212) 966 7875
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LOVE REWARDS THE BRAVE. SPiN New York is a 13,000 square foot table tennis social club on Park Avenue in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The club offers unparalleled table tennis courts with Olympic quality cushioned flooring and 17 individual tables, including a stadium-like center court. In addition, SPIN New York houses a pro shop, lounge, bar, private room sponsored by Fred Perry and over a dozen internationally known professional coaches and players who are available for private and group instruction. SPiN NYC also succeeds as a fun, casual place to hang out with a bunch of friends or, as seemed to be the case the night we went, co-workers blowing off steam after a day at the office. The place was
“SPIN”
packed with young professionals wolfing down cheese steaks and bags of crazy-flavored popcorn, downing beers, banging those orange balls all over the place.
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SPIN 48 East 23rd Street // Flatiron www.spingalactic.com T (212) 982 8802
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SUBWAY.
SINGLE RIDE $ 2.50
7-DAY UNLIMITED PASS $ 29
>>> Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight.
MTA SERVICES (511)
NOTES.
NEW YORK. A CODED GUIDE THROUGH NEW YORK CITY
CREDITS. ART DIRECTOR Stefanie Reynaert
Editor Stefanie Reynaert
Designer Stefanie Reynaert
Photographers Iwan Baan Richard Barnes Ron Blunt Roger Caas Mehmet Ali Dokumcu Elizabeth Felicella Dean Kaufman Nikolas Koenig Eric Laignel Thomas Loo Christoph Morlinghaus Frances Pollit Stefan Ruiz Annie Schlecter Ezra Stoller Martyn Thompson Michael Weber
LIMITLESS Limitless - New York City Guide Madeliefjeslaan 96 8400 Oostende Belgium New York City Guide Vol.1 is a registered trademark of Limitless www.limitless.at All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Limitless. All prices are correct at time of going to press, but are subject to change. Printed in Belgium First publied 2012 Š 2012, Limitless
ISBN 978 0 6548 5125 9
From the latest design hotel openings to the most breathtaking new bars, clubs and restaurants, designer boutiques to counter-culture secrets, major exhibitions to cutting-edge street art, Limitless delivers the most innovative travel inspiration, long before traditional travel guides have been reprinted. Limitless is a global media platform positioned as a major contributor to today’s lifestyle and travel landscape. The impact has been paramount in constructing today’s outlook on travelling. Limitless present a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design conscious traveller. Whether you are staying for 48 hours or five days, visiting for business or a vacation, we’ve done the hard work for you, from finding the best restaurants, bars and hotels to the most extraordinary stores and sites, and the most enticing architecture and design. Limitless enable you to come away from your trip, however brief, with a real taste of the city’s landscape and the satisfaction you’ve seen all that you should.
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